Turn Taking – Board Game Design Theory

In this board game design theory class, Jon Back looks into game design knowledge, splitting it into design tips in the form of small nuggets of knowledge for different parts of the design process, basics as well as advanced, each containing one piece of a larger puzzle. The reason for the masterclass lectures and lessons is that we as designers need to deeply understand each and every tool in our game development toolbox. Even the most fundamental game design elements can be dissected and understood. This can be seen as game design tutorials on specific game design elements for beginners and experts, or it can be seen as a way to improve your knowledge for your own future creative use. After all, most of us are creative geeks in one form or another.

In this episode we cover turn taking, or player order. We talk about turns, and their sub-structure: phases. We talk about even and unevenly divided turns, about priority and buying and betting turns. We also discuss how to make the game more interesting also for the passive player, and not only for the currently active player whose turn it is.

On our journey, we discuss the games:

• Diplomacy ( https://amzn.to/2URRUKv )
• Robo Rally (https://amzn.to/2WVc3Bh )
• Golf
• Memory
• Pool
• Citadels (https://amzn.to/2HYffsu )
• Settlers of Catan (https://amzn.to/2Dkf3y4 )

The series is inspired by the gameplay design patterns concept originally written about by Staffan Björk and Jussi Holopainen ( http://www.gameplaydesignpatterns.org/ ), where they structure and organize all kinds of gameplay design elements, but this series takes a more loose approach to the concept.

While many of the examples are from board games, the knowledge can be applied to any type of game you are designing: board games, computer games, consoles, mobile phone games (in public or otherwise), live action role play (larp), role playing games (rpg), and so on.

Music: Bauchamp – 90 vie organique moog (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Bauchamp/Loop_Mania_Sampler_Pack) Komiku – Skate (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku/Captain_Glouglous_Incredible_Week_Soundtrack/Skate) (published under CC0 – Public Domain)

(Some links may be affiliate links, where I may gain a small amount of revenue from sales, thereby helping this channel to continue)

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